An event at Wolfson College (Oxford) that explores Ancient Board Games and the relationship between Ancient World research and Video Gaming.

Registration Deadline: 

10th of May 2025

Timetable:

1-2 pm: Introduction to the event and to the ancient games

2-5 pm: Gaming instruction and participation

Activity Room 1: The Royal Game of Ur (Ancient Mesopotamian) taught by Dr. Walter Crist, Lecturer at the Centre for the Arts in Society, Leiden University.

Activity Room 2: Senet (Ancient Egyptian) taught by Dr Angela McDonald, Senior Lecturer in Egyptology, University of Glasgow

Activity Room 3: Pente Grammai (Ancient Roman) taught by Summer Courts, PhD student in Archaeology at the University of Reading

Activity Room 4: Patolli (Ancient Mayan and Aztec) taught by James Bacon, MA graduate in Anthropology from Trent University

Activity Room 5: Ashta Chamma (Classical Indian) taught by Dr. Jacob Schmidt-Madsen, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Copenhagen

Activity Room 6: Ancient world-themed video games

5.15-6.45 pm: Panel Discussion: Video Gaming, Gaming Technology, and the Ancient World

Inviting the participation of:

Barbara Birley, Curator for the Vindolanda Trust Roman Army Museum

Jennifer Cromwell, Reader in Ancient History at Manchester Metropolitan University

Paul Docherty, DPhil student in Egyptology at Queen's College, University of Oxford

Cristina Gonzalez-Esteban, DPhil student in Archaeology at  Wolfson College, University of Oxford

Matthew Nicholls, Senior Tutor at St. Johns College, University of Oxford

(Chair) John Hanson, Associate Professor of Roman Archaeology and Art, Wolfson College, University of Oxford

6.45-7.30 Drinks reception (all welcome)

7.30 Dinner (invite only)